Professor Peter Bruce, FRS, Wardlaw Professor of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews, on Tuesday 7 February at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London, was presented with the inaugural UK Science Award by global coatings company AkzoNobel.

Professor Bruce was selected for the honour by an independent panel convened by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for his fundamental chemical research that could transform the range of electric vehicles and make renewable energy more viable.

The panel cited Professor Bruce’s outstanding contributions to research in the fields of solid state chemistry and electrochemistry.

His key work, which in the eyes of the judging panel raised him above the very high standard of entries, was his work to make lithium batteries last longer and deliver more power.

This work could transform electric motor vehicles, enabling them to travel far farther and faster than current models before needing recharged, making them a more realistic option for drivers who wish to travel greater distances.